19. Karn
19
KARN
T he morning sun streams through the window, painting Mira's sleeping form in gold. Her dark hair fans across my pillow, and my chest tightens at how peaceful she looks curled against me. The urge to stay, to wrap her in my arms and forget the world exists, nearly wins. But the forge won't tend itself.
I brush my lips against her temple, breathing in the lingering scent of night flowers from our picnic. She stirs, making a soft sound that tests my resolve.
"Sleep," I whisper, tucking the blanket around her shoulders.
The wooden stairs creak under my weight as I head down to the shop. My fingers trace the railing, but I'm really lost in the memories from last night. The way her eyes lit up when she spotted the constellations. The way she felt curled up against me as we talked - as she told me things that made me feel like this is real between us.
The forge stands cold, waiting. I strike the flint, watching sparks catch the kindling. Some demons use magic, but I think the flint produces a steadier fire and I can pour all my magic into the runes.
The bellows pump steadily as I build the fire, but my usual morning routine feels different. Brighter. The shop that's been my sanctuary for years, but right now, I'd rather be upstairs.
I touch the scar across my eyebrow, remembering how she traced it last night, asking its story. No pity in her eyes when I told her about protecting my brother. Just understanding. Acceptance.
The forge roars to life, but for once the day's work doesn't hold my full attention. My thoughts keep drifting upstairs, to the woman who's somehow slipped past every wall I've built. Who fits into my life, my family, like she was always meant to be here.
I want to forge her future with mine, to protect her from anyone who'd try to cage her spirit again. To wake up every morning with her hair spread across my pillow.
The metal heats, and I grab my hammer. My eyes skim over the projects I need to be working on before landing on what I'm truly after.
The protection bracelet gleams on my workbench, delicate spirals intertwined with runes of safety and peace. I trace each curve with calloused fingers, checking the spellwork one final time. The twins' magic pulses pure and sweet beneath my own darker power, their contribution woven through the metal like threads of sunrise.
"Just needs the clasp." My voice echoes in the empty workshop.
The final pieces click together under my hands. Simple work compared to the complex enchantments, but I triple-check every link. The thought of Mira's scarred wrist wearing my work, my protection, sends a possessive heat through my blood. And I know she'll be safe if I'm ever not there for her.
Though I'd have to be dead for that to happen.
I set the finished bracelet aside and pull fresh metal from the forge. It gleams, a twin to the bracelet I just finished, glowing white-hot and ready for shaping.
I barely think as I start my work. My hammer falls in familiar rhythm as I begin forming a band, each strike precise. This piece needs to be perfect.
A mating ring.
The thought stops my hammer mid-swing.
"Fuck." I run a hand through my hair, loosening strands from their tie. "Moving too fast?"
But the band calls to me, and my hands return to their work. I can just finish it and hold on to it.
The metal flows under my touch, taking shape like it knows its purpose. I infuse each fold with protection spells, weaving them so fine they'll never fade. My demon magic burns violet around the edges, marking this as more than just jewelry.
I shape delicate curves into the silver, matching the flow of Mira's movement when she dances with the girls. The design emerges under my hands - not the traditional demon knots my family would expect, but something uniquely hers. Free. Unbound. Protected.
"Never letting anyone cage you again." The words come out as a growl, and I pour that promise into the metal.
The morning bleeds into afternoon as I work. I force myself to move on from Mira's pieces while I let my mind ruminate over what it means that I am even making them for her.
My hands shape metal into daggers, shields, and ornate pieces, but my eyes keep drifting to Mira's gifts. The mating band catches the forge light, throwing silver sparks across my workbench.
What would she think if she knew I had made them? The thought nags as I hammer a sword into shape. We've shared meals, stories, beds. Shared our lives. The twins adore her. But demons mate for life, and humans...
The blade warps under my distracted hands. "Shit." I toss it back in the forge, watching the metal glow.
A merchant needs his protection charms by sunset. I force myself to focus on the intricate spellwork, weaving demon magic through the metal. But even as I work, memories surface - Mira teaching Nova to braid hair, Luna falling asleep in her lap, the way she hums while cooking.
The way she fits against me.
"Fuck it." I snap the merchant's box closed. The charms are done, along with three swords and a ceremonial dagger. Good enough. I leave them out for him to pick up and shut down the forge.
Eager to get back to my girls, I take the stairs two at a time, following the sound of laughter. Mira stands at the kitchen counter, flour dusting her cheek as she helps the twins "cook." My chest tightens at the sight.
She turns, smile brightening. I catch her waist, pulling her close for a kiss that tastes like sugar and possibility. We hadn't discussed if we would tell the girls, but given how easily Nova's magic reads us it's pointless to hide it. Her fingers trace my jaw, leaving floury prints.
"Missed you too." She laughs against my lips.
"Going to clean up." I rest my forehead against hers, breathing her in. "Save some of whatever you're making for me."
"If the twins don't eat it all first."
I shower quickly, scrubbing away soot and sweat. Maybe I just need to talk to Mira, see if she's interested in something like mating. It's not like we've really addressed the trauma she carries.
But I see it easing a bit day by day.
Clean and changed, I find the girls sprawled in the living room. Luna's showing off her latest magical creation - floating sparkles that rain down like stars. And these miraculously don't dissolve into glitter and stick to me. Thank the Seven. Nova's attempting to change their color, tongue stuck out in concentration.
"Uncle Karn, look!" Luna waves, sending glitter everywhere.
I drop onto the floor beside them, catching Nova as she launches herself at me. "Beautiful, little star."
Mira touches my shoulder as she passes. "My turn to clean up. Make sure they don't turn the ceiling purple again."
The twins exchange a look that says that's exactly what they were planning. I grab them both, tickling until they shriek with laughter. Their magic sparkles around us, painting the room in joy.
Once Mira disappears, I pull the twins closer. "Hey stars, can I ask you something?"
Luna bounces in my lap while Nova settles against my chest. "Purple ceiling was not our fault."
"No, it's about Mira." I clear my throat. This is probably a terrible idea. "How would you feel if she stayed with us forever?"
Nova's eyes go wide. "Like in the stories?"
"Yeah, like that. If I asked her to…be my princess."
Luna jumps up, her copper curls bouncing. "With a pretty ring? And flowers? And-" Her excitement triggers her magic, sending sparkles shooting across the room.
"Shh, quieter." I catch her hand. "It's a secret right now. So you can't tell Mira. It's just between us."
"We can help!" Luna tugs my sleeve. "You practice. Nova, you be Mama."
Nova shakes her head, burrowing deeper into my shirt. "You do it."
"Fine." Luna straightens up, putting her hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of Mira's 'serious' pose. "Uncle Karn, ask me."
I bite back a laugh. "Alright." I shift to one knee, like I remember Ash doing when he practiced with me before he proposed to Sarah. It makes me smile a little. "Mira, will you-"
"No, no!" Luna waves her hands. "More pretty! More sparkles!"
Nova peeks out. "You need flowers too."
"I don't think-"
But Luna's already waving her hands, creating a shower of magical lights that rain down around us. "Now try again. More sweet!"
"How do you know what I should be doing?" I ruffle her hair, but she ducks away.
"From the stories! You say nice things first." Luna taps her chin. "Like how pretty she is. And…how good she cooks."
Nova tugs my sleeve. "And how she sings to us at bedtime."
"And catches us when we float too high!"
"And likes glitter."
I pull them both close, my chest tight with love for these little troublemakers. "You're right. She is pretty amazing."
"Try again!" Luna demands, adding another layer of sparkles.
"Mira." I take Luna's tiny hand, playing along. "You've made our home brighter than any magic. Will you-"
"More glitter!" Luna waves her free hand, and even Nova joins in, turning the falling lights rainbow colors.
"I don't think Mira needs quite this much glitter-"
"Always need more glitter," Luna says with absolute conviction.
"Look who's back-" Mira freezes in the doorway, taking in the shower of magical sparkles and me on my knee. "What's happening here?"
I jump up, nearly tripping over Luna. "Nothing. Just practicing magic control."
Nova buries her face in my leg while Luna opens her mouth. I clamp a gentle hand over it before she can spill everything. "Kitchen. Time to eat."
"But Uncle Karn, the sparkles-"
"Will wait." I scoop both twins up, making them squeal. "What smells so good?"
Mira raises an eyebrow but doesn't press. "Pies. Though someone," she taps Nova's nose, "ate half the berry filling before it made it into the pastry."
Nova grins, berry stains still visible at the corners of her mouth. I set them in their chairs, watching Mira move around the kitchen with practiced ease. She's made everything quick and efficient. The twins' cups already have protection spells to prevent spills, the food's cut into perfect toddler-sized bites.
Luna waves her hands, trying to make her vegetables float. "No magic at dinner," Mira reminds her, and Luna actually listens.
Wow. How has she managed that?
"Can we do shadows before bed?" Nova asks between bites.
"After you eat your vegetables." Mira winks at me. "All of them, Karn."
I mock growl at her, but eat my greens. The twins giggle, and something in my chest expands watching them. Mira reaches across to wipe Nova's face, humming a tune while refilling Luna's cup. These little moments we've built mean the most to me.
"Can we have cookies?" Luna asks.
"We just made pies." Mira cuts another slice.
"But cookies are different!"
"Tomorrow." Mira's voice holds that perfect blend of firmness and love that took me months to master. "We'll make some together."
Nova's eyes light up. "With sprinkles?"
"As many as you want," Mira promises. "If you finish your dinner."
I watch them eat, these three who've claimed my heart. Mira catches my stare and smiles, a bit of flour still on her cheek. I want this - dinner conversations and cookie promises, magic lessons and bedtime stories - forever.